51st IEC culminating activity Statio Orbis: Non-delegates converge at SRP

CEBU, Philippines - Yesterday afternoon’s erratic weather did not daunt hundreds of thousands of the Catholic faithful who thronged the Statio Orbis or final Mass of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

The eight-day event ended yesterday with a very hot morning, rain at around noon, and then scorching heat starting around 1 p.m.

Papal Legate Charles Maung Cardinal Bo of Yangon, Myanmar celebrated the Mass and delivered an inspiring message not just to the IEC delegates.

Coming from the different towns and cities of Cebu, non-delegates listened attentively even when they were stationed outside the grounds in front of the San Pedro Calungsod templete where the Statio Orbis was held.

They include Cristina Dumo, 50, who made sure she could get a good spot by arriving at the SRP at around 9 a.m. even though the Mass was scheduled at 4 p.m. yet.

“Diri na mi namahaw, nag-snack, paniudto hangtod nahuman ang misa karon,” she said.

Dumo said enduring the heat of the sun and the sudden rain was part of their sacrifice, which they offered to God.

“Uwan ug init among giantos. Sakripisyo lang gyud mi nga kinahanglan gyud maka-attend ta sa talagsaon og dako nga misa nga gi-held diri sa Cebu,” she said.

She said seeing the religious people from all over the world gathered as one in the said celebration made her teary-eyed.

Asked on what petition she prayed for during the Mass, she said it was good health and more blessings for the family.

Meanwhile, despite her age, Alpiniana Haramil, 69, from Lipata, Minglanilla, Cebu, said she did not mind going to the venue alone even when no public utility vehicles are allowed at the SRP. God, she said, intervened so she would arrive at the SRP safe and sound.

“Nang-hitch intawn ko uy. Maayo gani kay naay nakakita nako diha dapit eskina sa Talisay padung SRP,” she said.

Haramil said she was really encouraged to attend the international religious event since it was just a few kilometers away from her place.

“Nianhi man gani na ang ubang nasod, kita pa kaha nga naa ra diri. Pila ka thousands gud na ang ilang gasto, unya kita nga wa gyud tay gasto,” she said.

 She also was not affected by the weather changes, considering it as a sacrifice she was willing to offer to the Lord.

“Diri nako naabtan sa uwan, niundang na lang uwan, nia gihapon ko diri. Ang ako lang pangayo good health ra gyud mao nga magsakripisyo gyud ko. Wan-a gyu’y lain kay kontento na gyud ko sa akong kinabuhi,” she told The FREEMAN.

She also thanked God because though she is already almost seven decades old, she did not have any health conditions. — (FREEMAN)